if it had not been for

idiom

: in the absence of (something or someone) : without
If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Dictionary Entries Near if it had not been for

Cite this Entry

“If it had not been for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20it%20had%20not%20been%20for. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!